If elected: Tomas vows to pursue flyover on Gorordo Ave.

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña promised that if he will be re-elected as mayor, he will continue to push for the construction of a flyover at Gorordo Ave. corner Sudlon St. in Barangay Lahug.

Osmeña was able to secure about P200 million from the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways for the construction of the flyover project in Lahug, but it was not implemented after strong opposition from the Movement for Livable Cebu.

Motorists complain every time they experience heavy traffic along Gorordo Ave. from the vicinity of Lahug Elementary School up to corner Salinas Drive near JY Square.

The lawmaker explained that he wanted to help by looking for the needed budget for the construction of a flyover, but some people are blocking the project for the reason that it will destroy nature and affect their businesses.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson already deferred the plan to build a P201-million flyover project in Gorordo Ave. and realigned the funds to other projects.

Singson was responding to the outcry of those opposing the construction of more flyovers in the city.

Osmeña said it was he who proposed the Gorordo-Sudlon flyover even if the place is no longer part of his district because he is concerned not only for the south district, but for the entire city.

He said he is expecting the traffic problem in that particular portion of Gorordo Ave. to worsen once several motorists will already pass through the newly-opened road from Guadalupe to Kalunasan and then to Sudlon in Lahug.

“While we already have the alternative road, there’s a bottleneck when you reach Gorordo Ave. from Sudlon that is why a flyover is necessary in that area,” he said.

Osmeña’s rival for re-election, Mayor Michael Rama, chairman of the Regional Development Council and the Cebu City Development Council, is one of those against the construction of flyovers without first widening the road. He has succeeded in blocking the construction of flyovers in barangays Carreta and Kamputhaw.  –/BRP (FREEMAN)